Athletes of the Week

Junior Jena Stambaugh plays forward for the Eagles field hockey team. She scored all three goals for the week, first in a 2-0 win over Frederick, and then posted the lone goal in a 3-1 loss to Mt. Hebron. Key coach Becky Bachtel points out her "strong stick and positive attitude."

Senior captain Layla Lagunas had two goals in a 4-0 victory over Dulaney, and added another as the Mavs picked up their first county win 5-1 against South Carroll. Veteran coach Denean Koontz says that Layla is "also instrumental in setting up our corner attack."

Ryan Durborow shot a 1-over par 37 to lead the Knights to victory in a match against FSK. The following day the senior also earned medalist honors by carding an even par 36 playing against Westminster. Coach Jason Ellis says Ryan has been playing "incredible golf" and anchoring Century's golf team -- he has a streak of five straight matches where he's finished first.

Molly Thomas was outstanding at libero for the Owls volleyball team. The junior came up with ten digs in a match against Linganore, contributed five kills and eight service aces in a big county win over Liberty, and totaled 15 digs as Westminster hosted a multi-team tournament.

Jackson Steinbrenner is in his third year running cross country for the Falcons, and he beat 12 teams and more than 80 other runners in taking first at the Rebel Invitational. The senior finished the 5K course at South Hagerstown in 17:02.4.

Josh Vendemia shot a one-under par 35 to lead South Carroll's golf team to a new home course record at the Links at Challedon. The junior birdied the last hole as the Cavaliers finished with a team score of 146.

Senior Caleb Crouch is a 3-year varsity starter and team captain for the Falcons football team. He was the on-field leader in a season-opening 38-14 defeat of Williamsport. At QB, he rushed for 83 yards on 15 carries and scored two touchdowns. And at OLB, he forced a fumble, had two solo tackles, and assisted on four others.

Hannah Toth became a dominant cross country runner for the Owls, selected as the All-Metro Runner of the Year after winning seven races. She captured the county title by more than a minute-and-a-half, followed by the 3A East region championship. And she saved her best fall performance for last, destroying the field with a more than 47-second victory at the state cross country championships held at Hereford. During the indoor season Hannah was an All-Metro first team selection, having won the county championship in the 800, 1600, and 3200-meter runs. She then won another regional championship, this time in the 800 and 1600. And then captured a pair of golds, with 3A state championships in the 800, and in the 1600, where she picked up a 7-second victory. In the spring she won county titles in the 1600 and 3200 and helped the Owls to the girls team championship. And at the 3A East regional meet she took the bronze in the 1600 and the silver in the 3200.

In the just completed lacrosse season, A.J. Rodrigues was named to the All-County Coaches 2nd team for defense. But he excelled on the gridiron and wrestling mat. A.J. led the county in rushing with 1,514 yds, 4th most in a single season in Cavaliers history. He was named to the all-league 1st team at RB for the second year in a row, and was also selected the All-County Offensive Player of the Year. On defense he was named to the Carroll County Athletic League's first team at DB. During his time at SC he collected 3,350 all-purpose yards and 40 touchdowns, and his 2,747 career rushing yards are the 2nd most in program history. But he's headed to the Univ of MD to focus on wrestling, where he dominated in the 160-pound weight class, picking up his 4th county championship. He also captured the 1A/2A North Region championship, the third of his career. And as he finished up the winter season with a sparkling 47-2 record, he secured his third state championship. During his post-season run, A.J. didn't allow a single offensive point, and won every match by either pin or tech fall. Wrestling coach Bryan Hamper said the message for this year was simple -- "go out and dominate."